History of the NKBA NZ

The first meeting of the Steering Committee for the proposed NZ Chapter of the American Institute of Kitchen Dealers was held on Monday 23rd March 1981 in Auckland, New Zealand.

Affiliation was approved in 1982 when a group of New Zealand delegates attended the Dallas Convention and then in 1983 the name was changed to National Kitchen and Bathroom Association (NZ) Inc in line with the USA changes.

David Bass was elected our first National President and Ellen Cheever visited in June 1983 to present a series of seminars. She represented the USA Association and presented a framed Affiliation Agreement and the formal agreement for signing.

Four regional chapters set up in November (Auckland, Christchurch, Waikato and Hawkes Bay)

15 designers achieved the CKD/CBD qualification

First Executive Officer appointed in February – Bob Wright

Design competition set up with Trends Publishing (Gordon Dryden & David Johnson)

Judy Bark ran first training courses

Wellington Chapter joined (fifth Chapter)

National Board representatives elected from Regional Chapters

Central North Island, Nelson, & Bay of Plenty Chapters set up

Michael Grace took over as Executive Officer

SOE (Seal of Excellence) Scheme set up

First Life Members – David Bass and Jack Clarke

Michael Grace and Judy Bark attended meeting in Hawaii and annual Affiliation fee set at $1500 payable into an interest bearing account in NZ to be used to further relationships between USA and NZ

Judy Bark elected as Education Officer

Nelson Chapter set up – Top of the South

Certified Designers Society formed

Michael Timmins took over as Executive Officer

Bay of Plenty Chapter set up

SOE (Seal of Excellence) scheme terminated

New industry publication – Kitchen & Bathroom Focus later to become Forum